Overview
A young woman's journey into the harsh realities of the West reveals the strength of her spirit amidst adversity.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- oppressive
- melancholic
- intense
- classic film evening
- silent cinema showcase
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as a landmark silent melodrama distinguished by Lillian Gish’s performance, atmospheric use of the landscape, and expressive visual storytelling.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The incessant prairie wind and sandstorms repeatedly isolate Letty, threaten the household, and externalize her fear and vulnerability.
Lillian Gish’s performance as Letty relies on facial expression, gesture, and bodily struggle against the wind to communicate changing terror, desperation, and affection.
Without money or a safe home after Cora expels her, Letty accepts Lige’s proposal as the lesser evil despite not loving him.
Sweet Water’s distance from Virginia, harsh ranch life, and relentless weather trap Letty within an unfamiliar community and marriage.
Films like The Wind, and why
Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
shared silent-era melodrama, psychologically intense romantic conflict, and hostile natural environment
The Covered Wagon
shared silent western setting, elemental landscape, and emotionally expressive romantic drama
Greed
shared frontier isolation, marital tension, and austere western melodrama
The Crowd
shared silent cinema intensity, gendered vulnerability, and survival under oppressive social conditions
Movie Details
- Director
- Victor Sjöström
- Release Date
- 1928-09-15
- Runtime
- 76 min
- Rating
- 7.3 / 10 (139)
Cast
- Lillian Gish
- Lars Hanson
- Montagu Love
- Dorothy Cumming
- Edward Earle
- William Orlamond
- Carmencita Johnson
- Leon Janney
- Billy Kent Schaefer
- Sam Appel
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, Fandor Amazon Channel
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Wind about?
- A naive Virginia woman confronts the brutal prairie, an uneasy marriage, and her own changing idea of home.
- What is The Wind like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Wind as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Wind violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Wind as mild.
- What did critics think of The Wind?
- Critics broadly regard the film as a landmark silent melodrama distinguished by Lillian Gish’s performance, atmospheric use of the landscape, and expressive visual storytelling.
- Which films are like The Wind?
- Films with a similar feel include Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans, The Covered Wagon, Greed, and The Crowd.
- How long is The Wind?
- The Wind runs 76 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Wind?
- In United States, The Wind streams on Philo, Fandor Amazon Channel.
